General News about South Florida
Tropical Storm Arlene, the first named storm of the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, formed Friday afternoon in the Gulf of Mexico, the National Hurricane Center said.
Forecasts from the hurricane center said the storm is expected to remain offshore and have only minimal impact in Florida or any land area as it meanders south in the Gulf.
Habitat for Humanity of Broward hosts historic dedication ceremony for 15 new two-story homes at ‘A Rick Case Habitat Community’ in Pompano Beach
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (April 3, 2023) – Habitat for Humanity of Broward recently celebrated the completion of 15 new two-story homes with a dedication ceremony at its historic “A Rick Case Habitat Community” in Pompano Beach. This is a record high, as this is the most homes Habitat Broward has ever dedicated in one event.
“There are not enough words to describe how grateful we are. It has always been a dream of ours to become homeowners, and today Habitat’s supporters made this dream a reality,” said new homeowner, Lashicia Harris.
“This is the result of so much hard work and heart,” Habitat Broward CEO and Executive Director Nancy Robin said in a statement. “I’m immensely proud of each and every one of our families for making today happen, and I’m so very thankful for our sponsor the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, volunteers, construction team and other employees who made the completion of these homes possible.”
All 15 family homes were sponsored by The Fredrick A. DeLuca Foundation through a transformational grant to Habitat Broward.
South Florida is the nation’s most cost-burdened housing market in the nation with high home prices and low wages making homeownership out of reach for 94 percent of Broward residents.
The benefits are clear, Habitat homeowners are healthier, safer, more likely to go to college and have 44 times the net worth of those families renting.
With assistance from Habitat Broward, families are able to acquire modest homes with mortgages kept to 30 percent of household income. To qualify, individuals must start off by providing 300 hours of sweat equity to construct their homes and the other houses in the neighborhood. Families must also attend a year of homeownership classes and make a small down payment.
“The journey to homeownership isn’t easy,” said Habitat Board Chair, Lily Pardo. “But these families understand the long-term impact of owning a safe, stable and affordable home. It’s a testament to how hard they are willing to work to create better opportunities for themselves and their families for generations to come.”
“A Rick Case Habitat Community” was made possible by Ed Ansin of Sunbeam/WSVN Channel 7, and Rita and Rick Case of Rick Case Automotive Group who stepped forward with a leadership gift to name this historic new community and provided much of the funding for the infrastructure.
The project is also made possible by the Mary N. Porter Legacy Fund of the Community Foundation of Broward, the City of Pompano Beach, the Hudson Family Foundation, Burdette Beckmann, Inc., the Robert Taylor Family, the Wadsworth Family Foundation, the Elizabeth Peters Estate, the Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation, the Estate of Renate Wylie, the Robert L. Elmore Estate, JM Family Enterprises and other contributors and volunteers.
The community will feature 76 affordable homes consisting of 42 one-story and 35 two-story units with sizes ranging from 1,200 to 1,300 sq. ft. homes. All homes feature sustainable, energy-efficient materials, including impact windows, to minimize environmental impact, improve indoor air quality, and reduce utility and maintenance costs. Additional features include a park and children’s playground that will be accessible to residents of the community and the surrounding area.
The total project is estimated to cost over $18 million in funds that will be raised and leveraged through partnerships with corporations, foundations, government agencies, the faith community and generous individuals.
About Habitat for Humanity of Broward
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Broward brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat Broward offers a “hand up” not a “hand out” to families who are unable to qualify for conventional home financing but are willing to work hard to improve their family’s lives and achieve the economic empowerment of homeownership. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Broward please call (954) 396-3030 or visit habitatbroward.org or check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HabitatBroward.
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I got up at 1:20am and gathered my gear to drive down to the Everglades to catch the Milky Way. The weather conditions were just right with clear skies, no moon, cool temperatures and a very light breeze that did not disturb the water surface. the cool weather kept the mosquitos in check. I arrived at one of the many lakes around 3:00am in the Everglades National Park. My goal was to try out some new techniques to capture the Milky Way. This image of the Milky Way is made up of 20 images that were stacked to reduce the noise and provide more definition to the stars in the night sky. Taken 03-30-2022
Open Enrollment for Habitat Broward’s New Energy Efficient, Affordable Single Family Pompano Beach Homes Begins Tuesday, February 1
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (January 31, 2022) – Open enrollment for Habitat for Humanity of Broward’s pre-application process for new energy efficient, affordable housing at “A Rick Case Habitat Community” and North-West 27th Street developments in Pompano Beach will begin on Tuesday, Friday 1, via www.habitatbroward.org.
The new energy efficient models will include four bedrooms, garages, modern kitchens, landscaped yards, and hurricane impact windows.
These locations are minutes away from beautiful beaches, schools, churches, a lively art and cultural scene, and great recreational and shopping amenity.
“This is an opportunity of a lifetime for first time home buyers, there is no better affordable housing option in Broward County,” said Thor Barraclough, Habitat Broward Chief Program Officer. “Selected applicants will enjoy affordable mortgage loans through our home ownership program and can achieve the economic empowerment that comes from owning your own home.”
The homes include the last 33 to be built in the new intentional community, “A Rick Case Habitat Community,” which when completed, will be the largest affordable housing development of single-family homes in Broward’s history, providing 76 homes for hard-working families.
The application process has four steps that includes a pre-qualification questionnaire, orientation, financial analysis review and face-to-face interview. Successful applicants can expect to move into a home within 12 to 18 months.
Qualifications include but are not limited to the following:
• Must be a first-time home buyer.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or legal permanent resident.
• Must be a current Broward County resident or working in Broward (for a year or more).
• Must demonstrate a need for affordable housing.
• Must be able to afford a zero-percent mortgage and make a $2,000 down-payment.
Interested families can visit https://www.habitatbroward.org/2020-pre-qualification-questionnaire/ to start the pre-application process.
About Habitat for Humanity of Broward
Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Broward brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Habitat Broward offers a “hand up” not a “hand out” to families who are unable to qualify for conventional home financing but are willing to work hard to improve their family’s lives and achieve the economic empowerment of home ownership. For more information about Habitat for Humanity of Broward please call (954) 396-3030 or visit habitatbroward.org or check us out on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HabitatBroward.
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I got up 2:30am, had my coffee and left my house by 3am. It takes about 1 1/2 hours to reach my destination deep in the Florida Everglades. I have to walk through the area in total darkness with a small flashlight to find my spot to setup my tripod and shoot. I usually adjust my camera settings at home before leaving, so I do not have to waste time on site. I have to capture about (180) 20 second images. When I get home, I download all the images and select the 180 images to stack and combine in my software. The whole processing part can take about 30-45 minutes once the image is combined to get this result.
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To Purchase a copy:
https://www.leesmithphotos.com/2021/10/startrails-over-the-florida-everglades/
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©2021 Smitty’s Holdings, Inc. – 20180812
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To Follow me on Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smittysholdings
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/leesmithphotos2017/
The sun just rose above the horizon at the Deering Estate on this day – the Fall Equinox, when the sun rises in the middle of the boat basin. Creating an incredible sunrise photograph.
To order a print: https://www.leesmithphotos.com/2021/09/the-fall-equinox-at-deering/
Elsa prompted Gov. Ron DeSantis to declare a state of emergency in 15 Florida counties: Miami-Dade, Monroe, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Hillsborough, Lee, Levy, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota.
“The threat posed by Elsa requires that timely precautions are taken to protect the communities, critical infrastructure, and general welfare of Florida,” DeSantis’ executive order reads.
Looking for wall art for your home or office?
Lee Smith Photography can offer you a wide range of images in almost any size needed.
Visit us on line at https://www.leesmithphotos.com/
EcoSimplista searches for used wood through a network of sources. The wood that can be reclaimed is collected and shipped to EcoSimplista.
Reclaimed Brown Wood
https://www.ecosimplista.com/reclaimed-brown-wood.html
Reclaimed Brown Wood Fencing
https://www.ecosimplista.com/reclaimed-brown-wood-fencing.html
Reclaimed Brown Wood Siding
https://www.ecosimplista.com/reclaimed-brown-wood-siding.html
Reclaimed Grey Wood
https://www.ecosimplista.com/reclaimed-grey-wood.html
Reclaimed White Wood
https://www.ecosimplista.com/reclaimed-white-wood.html
Shou Sugi Ban Reclaimed Wood
https://www.ecosimplista.com/shou-sugi-ban-reclaimed-wood.html
EcoSimplista – Your Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Company
217 SW 33rd Court, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954) 565-5900
https://www.ecosimplista.com
Reclaimed wood offers a wonderful material for your special projects that can be purchased at EcoSimplista in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. There are so many do it yourself projects that will allow you to explore your inner craftsman ideas. These are but a few projects that you can use reclaimed wood:
EcoSimplista offers a variety of Reclaimed Wood for you your home projects for Miami, Broward & Palm Beach, call us at (954) 565-5900 to see what we have in stock
Live Life Simplista.
We believe it is possible to live life ‘green’ regardless of one’s income or position in life.
It takes a step by step approach to transition to a less selfish, clean, sustainable lifestyle. Each step becomes its own reward. Let us all try to leave this planet, our home, cleaner than we found it for the future of all humanity.
our mission
As South Florida’s leader and supplier of eco-friendly building supplies and home solutions, the mission of Eco Simplista is quite simple. We believe the use of non-toxic, sustainable products and services will.
Visit us at our store to see the latest reclaimed wood and all our other earth friendly products.
https://www.ecosimplista.com/shop/building/lumber/reclaimed-wood.html
EcoSimplista – Your Eco-Friendly Home Improvement Company
217 SW 33rd Court, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
(954) 565-5900
The Full Moon image captured from Margaret Pace Park near downtown Miami, shooting across the Intracoastal Waterway to Miami Beach on a February Full Moon
By Lee Smith
Taken: 02-19-2019
© 2019 Smitty’s Holdings, Inc.
To Order: https://www.leesmithphotos.com/2019/02/moon-over-miami-beach/
#Moonrise #FullMoon #snowmoon #februarymoon #DadeCounty #Miami #Florida #landscapephotography #MargaretPacePark #IntracoastalWaterway #nightphotography #LeeSmithPhotos #DigitalArt #LoveFL #SoFla
A hidden gem in Hollywood’s Downtown is Fusion by Design located within L/Mercado Studios. Come meet local artist in residence, JoAnn Laskin. Find unique handmade fused glass art or functional art glass pieces. Beginning fused glass classes are available for your next unique date night, corporate team building event, or ladies night out.
Contact JoAnn Laskin at fusionbydesign@hotmail.com
or 954-558-8682 to schedule your class.
